HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Crusaders fall to CFCA

OCA lost a tough one Friday night, 28-26

Published: Friday, September 13, 2013 at 11:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 12:46 a.m.

The Ocala Christian Academy Crusaders suffered a 28-26 loss to Central Florida Christian Academy on Friday night in a back-and-forth offensive shootout that the Crusaders felt they should have won.

OCA was in a bit of a hole before the game even kicked off. With a squad of just 17 players, the Crusaders played at Windermere Prep on Monday afternoon. Despite a short week of preparation and lack of depth, OCA had multiple opportunities to cease victory. The Crusaders even had the lead, 26-20, to start the fourth quarter.

"We played our tail off," OCA coach Jason Zimmerman said. "In spite of playing (twice in) eight days, we should have gotten the victory. With a few corrections, we win it. Honestly I thought we were the better team. We just didn't take advantage of certain opportunities."

OCA junior Trevor Smith was the better quarterback on the field Friday night. Operating the spread offense, he threw three touchdowns passes and ran for another. On the night, Smith had 293 yards in the air — most going to Crusader receivers P.J. Culver and Nick Weitlauf.

The Crusaders scored at the end of first half — a Culver 23-yard touchdown catch — and was first to score in the second half — a Smith 43-yard touchdown run — to get within one score, They took the lead on Culver's second touchdown of the game but CFCA's Vaughn Smith scored on a 30-yard touchdown run, his second touchdown of the evening, to give CFCA the lead for good.

"We should have got a win," Smith said. "We were right there. We should have won but we played tough despite having two games in one week."

<p>The Ocala Christian Academy Crusaders suffered a 28-26 loss to Central Florida Christian Academy on Friday night in a back-and-forth offensive shootout that the Crusaders felt they should have won.</p><p>OCA was in a bit of a hole before the game even kicked off. With a squad of just 17 players, the Crusaders played at Windermere Prep on Monday afternoon. Despite a short week of preparation and lack of depth, OCA had multiple opportunities to cease victory. The Crusaders even had the lead, 26-20, to start the fourth quarter.</p><p>"We played our tail off," OCA coach Jason Zimmerman said. "In spite of playing (twice in) eight days, we should have gotten the victory. With a few corrections, we win it. Honestly I thought we were the better team. We just didn't take advantage of certain opportunities."</p><p>OCA junior Trevor Smith was the better quarterback on the field Friday night. Operating the spread offense, he threw three touchdowns passes and ran for another. On the night, Smith had 293 yards in the air — most going to Crusader receivers P.J. Culver and Nick Weitlauf.</p><p>The Crusaders scored at the end of first half — a Culver 23-yard touchdown catch — and was first to score in the second half — a Smith 43-yard touchdown run — to get within one score, They took the lead on Culver's second touchdown of the game but CFCA's Vaughn Smith scored on a 30-yard touchdown run, his second touchdown of the evening, to give CFCA the lead for good.</p><p>"We should have got a win," Smith said. "We were right there. We should have won but we played tough despite having two games in one week."</p>